German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called on Israel to stop expanding settlements in the West Bank to pave the way for a two-state solution with the Palestinians. In an address to the Bundestag, Merkel also said that concessions from both sides were necessary. Her comments come amid Israeli media reports that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu could agree to a temporary freeze of settlement growth for three months.
However, Netanyahu’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, took a tougher stance on the issue. During a visit to a Druze village in Israel, Lieberman – who is himself a settler – said: “"Today I heard Angela Merkel speaking at the Bundestag and repeating the statement regarding the need for a complete halt of life in Judea and Samaria. Against the backdrop of what happened today in North Korea – which again fired missiles despite the threats and sanctions of the international community – we see the continued preoccupation with homes in Yitzhar, Takoa, and Beit El. Haven't we blown it out of proportion?
“Against the backdrop of the events in Tehran, should this issue be the top priority of the international community?" Lieberman asked.
